Chapter Sixteen
Colt was supposed to meet with Rob at seven-thirty this morning, but it’s well past that now, and he’s still here. With me.
We haven’t talked about the whole ‘I love you’ thing since I said it, and I don’t want to push him. It’s a loaded subject for him, tangled up in pain and hesitation. And after everything he told me about Macy, I understand why.
He’ll say it when he’s ready.
I have to be patient.
Even if the waiting twists something deep inside me.
“Hey, baby, can you please bring me my phone when you come back in here?” Colt calls out from the bathroom.
I grab his phone off the nightstand and take it into the bathroom. “Here you go,” I say while handing it to him, and he presses the power button to turn it on. I hadn’t even realized he’d turned it off.
He smiles and brushes his teeth.
Stepping behind him, I wrap my arms around his waist, and he places his free hand on mine, firmly holding it in place.
As soon as the phone finishes powering on, it buzzes, showing four missed calls and two voicemails. Colt exhales and shakes his head. Leaning down, he presses the speaker button so the first message comes through.
Hey, Colt, Rob here. It’s eight, and we were meant to meet in the penthouse at half seven. The guys are waiting for you. So, when you’re ready to grace us with your presence, feel free to join us.
I bite my bottom lip, knowing he didn’t go so he could spend more time with me, which makes me feel super guilty.
“Hey, if you need to go, that’s cool. I’ve had you to myself for hours,” I say.
He smiles, turning and wrapping me in his arms. “No. You can have me to yourself for a little while longer. I am not needed until we head to the Rolling Stone magazine interview.”
The following voicemail plays, and this time it’s Dingo.
Hey Sladenator, they moved the interview to nine. So you’d better get your arse over here in time, or they’re pulling the interview. Hurry the fuck up, man.
Colt looks over at the time.
“Fuck,” he exclaims, rushing into the bedroom.
“I’m sorry,” I say, feeling silly for keeping him here when he’s supposed to be working. It’s five minutes to nine. Hopefully, he’ll get there in time.
“Baby, don’t be sorry. Just get dressed. You’re coming with me,” he says.
Well, okay then.
I grab the first thing I find and dress as quickly as possible.
Then we make our way next door to the penthouse suite.
Using the keycard, I push it open to a lean blonde wearing only sexy see-through lingerie.
Must be the model for the shoot. Looking up at Colt, I watch as his eyes glance anywhere but at the woman in front of him.
“Guys, he’s here,” she calls out in her all-American accent.
The penthouse is set up for a photo shoot. There are screens everywhere, lighting, cameras, and all sorts of equipment I’ve never seen before.
Colt takes my hand, and we walk into the living room, where some makeup and hairstylists are working on Dingo and Johnny.
Hux is standing in front of a screen, being photographed with a snake around his neck, while two scantily clad women kneel at his feet, grasping his ankles.
He certainly appears to be in his element, and for some reason, it forces me to grip Colt’s hand tighter.
“Mr. Slade, so nice of you to join us.” The sarcasm in her words is dripping with irony.
“If you could come with me, we can get you into hair and makeup.” The bitch drags Colt away from me, and as our hands part, he looks back at me, furrowing his brow.
I mouth, It’s okay, to him, and he nods in acknowledgment.
Then I make my way over to Anna and Sia, who are sitting in the corner out of the way.
“Hey, girls, this is hectic,” I say with a smirk, sitting next to Anna.
“Tell me about it. They’ve done photo shoots before, but nothing like this. Live animals and lesbians, very rock and roll,” Sia says, pointing to the two girls kneeling next to Hux, who are now positioned like they’re about to kiss.
“I’m usually pretty laid back, but if they have girls hanging off Johnny like that, I won’t be happy,” Anna says.
I exhale, wondering what they’ll make Colt do as we watch Hux make love to the camera.
“So, how come you guys were late?” Sia asks.
“We were, um… celebrating. Colt asked me to be his girlfriend.”
Anna and Sia look at me wide-eyed.
“Are you serious?” Anna asks.
“Yep. And I might have told him I was in love with him too,” I say.
Their mouths drop open.
“And he didn’t run?” Sia asks, looking over at Colt and then back to me as some wondrous expression dawns on her face.
“Did he say it back?” Anna asks quickly.
“No, he didn’t run, but he was a little frazzled by it. He didn’t say it back. But that’s okay. I understand the whole Macy thing and how hard it is for him to say.”
“Wow. Just… wow,” Anna exclaims, eyes wide.
“Yeah, I’m with you, Anna. I can’t believe it.” Sia shakes her head. “Normally, when anyone tells Colt they love him, he gets rid of them as fast as possible.”
The moment the words leave her mouth, her expression shifts, and her lips press into a grimace as she realizes what she’s just said. She bites the corner of her lip, looking at me with concern.
Guess that one slipped out before she could stop it.
A wave of panic surges through me, my veins flooded with icy dread. What if Colt does the same to me? What if I’ve completely freaked him out, and I’m the next woman to be tossed aside?
“Stop it. I can see that look in your eyes, Dee,” Anna says, gently grasping my arm. “He’s not going to dump you. If he were, he would’ve done it already.”
“You think?” My voice is quieter than I intend, laced with doubt. Because the truth is, I’m not so sure. This is all new for him, uncharted territory, and maybe, just maybe, I pushed too hard, too soon.
“I do. He’s really into you. Anyone can see that.”
I nod my head and place my hand over Anna’s. “Thanks.”
“Can we have Mr. Slade now, Trina?” a man calls out loudly, gaining my attention.
“Sure thing,” she replies as she styles his hair one last time before he’s taken into the bedroom.
Anna takes my hand, and we walk toward the room. “C’mon, let’s watch,” she says with a girlish grin.
We make our way just outside the bedroom door, so we’re not in anyone’s way. Colt’s wearing distressed jeans, and they’ve coated his chest with oil to make him glisten. He looks mouth-wateringly delicious. There are a ton of people in the room, all fussing about, making everything look just right.
The photographer takes his position near the end of the bed, and Colt walks over and lies down.
Then, a woman hands him a guitar. Lying on his back with his guitar covering his groin, the photographer starts taking images.
There are so many clicks and flashes that I can’t help but smile.
This whole persona they've given him makes Colt look like the rock god he’s so well known for.
“Great work, Mr. Slade. Time to spice it up a bit. Can we have the girls in here, please?” the photographer calls out loudly.
The two girls who were hanging off Hux walk into the bedroom and await their instructions.
My heart starts to race, and panic sets in.
I don’t want them touching Colt.
However irrational—he’s mine and only mine to touch.
Anna wraps her arm around my shoulders. “Maybe we should leave them to it?” she whispers.
I refuse to leave and stare directly at Colt as the two girls crawl onto the bed, one on either side of him.
He lifts his head, and his eyes lock with mine as the two girls put a leg over his, and their hands are all over his chest.
My breathing quickens, and my heart pounds in my fucking chest.
Overwhelming jealousy, unlike anything I have ever felt before, floods me.
I’m not only jealous, I am resentful.
The green-eyed monster is out, and she is ready to play dirty.
These girls don’t know him.
But they sure as shit are all over my man.
It’s disgusting.
My breathing stutters as it leaves my mouth. I cross my arms over my chest, wanting some power or control over this situation unfolding before me, but I know I have none.
Colt’s eyes never leave mine as the girls are positioned, and that unenviable jealousy burns molten hot through my veins with every touch.
“Eyes on the camera, Mr. Slade,” the photographer directs.
Colt exhales and says, “Until the end of time, Dee.”
My heart stops.
Then, it explodes with overwhelming love for him.
I smile and nod, giving my approval to go ahead.
Then he looks toward the camera. The camera shutter is clicking in quick succession, and I hope that this will soon be over, and that will be that.
Photo shoots, as much as I might not like them, will be part of Colt’s future, and I have to get over myself so he can hurtle into the stratosphere where he belongs, where I want him to be.
“Okay, just you in these,” the photographer says, pointing to the girl on the right. She smiles, and the other girl gets off the bed, walking out of the room.
If I am being honest, I want to bitch slap her into the middle of next week as she walks past me, but I don’t.
“Right, make it fucking sexy. I want you two to be in absolute lust for each other.”
Colt frowns as the girl moves her hand down his chest and slides her fingers into the top of his pants, right above his damn cock.
A small noise escapes me as Anna tightens her hold around my shoulders. I tense up as the girl moves her head over his chest, kissing his nipple. Colt’s eyes clench tightly shut.
There is no doubt I want to burst through those doors and pull that skank the fuck off him by her tacky hair extensions.
“Eyes open, Mr. Slade, and focused on her. Make love to her with your eyes,” the photographer directs.
Colt opens his eyes and looks down at her, his brows furrowed and his eyes pained.